6 steps to health through happiness

Lifestyles are responsible for much of the significant decline in mortality rates from coronary heart disease observed in recent years. As such, emotional health advice can be just as useful as advice to get more exercise or eat more fruits and vegetables. Here's how your emotional health can impact your physical (especially heart) health.

It's interesting how many people shun emotional health advice. They believe that heart health requires more concrete steps: medicine, supplements, rigorous diets, formal exercise regimens. But this isn't the whole picture. Research has confirmed the healing power of a positive attitude and a good laugh. A sense of spirituality can help as well.

But when it comes to emotional health advice, it's important to remember that this is not alternative medicine or the wishful thinking of eternal youth-seeking baby boomers. Your happiness does matter for your heart's health.

Belief, whether in a higher being, the power of nature, or even yourself, is both grounding and healthy. A big part of this belief is optimism. People who use words such as "joy" and "hope" to describe their attitudes toward life outlive their more pessimistic counterparts by a decade.

No matter what your situation, the power to do away with anger and embrace the good things in life lies in your hands.

Some time between leaving our parents' homes and signing up to a 25-year mortgage agreement of our own, we stop having as much fun as we used to. We all have serious adult responsibilities, but we also have a responsibility to our hearts to let go and have some childlike fun.

Studies show that people whose lives are filled with laughter are much less likely to have heart disease.

As life gets more rushed, stress rises and heart disease follows. You can't change the world, but you can change your response to it.

Daily rituals such as meditation, yoga, quiet time, bedtime relaxation and even just walking a dog can quell stress and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Those who enjoy a glass of wine with dinner may lower their heart disease risk, according to some health experts. Limit your alcohol to a weekly maximum of 14 drinks for men and 9 for women.

Interestingly, wine, especially red wine, seems to have a more beneficial effect than other alcoholic drinks.

They say that home is where the heart is, so make yours a refuge for it. Create a soothing ambiance with fresh flowers and plants, music, a relaxing bedroom and some quiet space where you can go when you need to think.

Spending most of your time relaxed instead of stressed can halve your heart disease risk.

Hearts are happiest and healthiest when they're in the company of others. Don't be so busy that you can't make time for loved ones — whether they're your family or your friends, or both.

Put these heart healthy tips into practice to help improve your emotional health and lessen the mental and physical stress on your heart.